My free meal plans help you save time and money while enjoying wholesome, satisfying meals without the stress. This week’s plan focuses on simple, crowd-pleasing recipes in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and smart ideas for using leftovers after the big meal. Meal Plan 83 As with all of my weekly meal plans, this … Read more

Persimmon jam is simple to make at home and captures the warm, honeyed flavor of persimmons so you can enjoy it year-round. Persimmons are naturally pectin-rich, so this jam comes together easily with just a few ingredients and a little patience at the stove. I once brought a jar of my persimmon jam to a … Read more

There’s something truly special about homemade gnocchi. These soft, pillowy potato dumplings are a cornerstone of Italian comfort food. While making them from scratch may seem daunting, this recipe breaks the process into clear, easy steps so you can make light, tender gnocchi at home. Skip the store-bought variety—this authentic potato gnocchi recipe is worth … Read more

So simple to make and ready in less than an hour, Instant Pot Mixed Berry Jam is a wonderful way to capture summer’s sweetness. Spread this jam on my butter swim biscuits for a delightful breakfast treat. If you’ve never made homemade jam before, don’t be intimidated — it’s easier than you think. The Instant … Read more

Incredibly delicious Pistachio Pesto prepared in about 5 minutes using simple, fresh ingredients. This bright, versatile sauce far surpasses store-bought pesto and works well as a spread, dip, or sauce for pasta, fish, and grain bowls. I love classic basil pesto, but over time I’ve experimented with ingredients inspired by restaurants and home cooking to … Read more

This rib-eye steak recipe yields juicy, perfectly cooked steaks whether you grill or cook on the stove. The directions are simple and reliable, and the sautéed mushrooms add a savory finish. You may also enjoy recipes for sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce and pan-seared steak with creamy mushroom sauce. Why this recipe works Flavorful seasoning: … Read more

I’m in the kitchen sharing a fresh Citrus Chopped Salad inspired by my love of clementines and California olives. I adapted flavors from a roast chicken I’ve been making and built the salad around tender roasted chicken breast, bright citrus, salty olives, crisp cabbage and romaine, and a creamy clementine dressing. It’s a repeat favorite … Read more

Recipes for chicken salad only succeed when the chicken is juicy and flavorful. Dry or bland chicken cannot be rescued by dressing, mayo, or seasonings. To get silky, moist, and well-flavored chicken, Cooks Illustrated recommends a gentle sous-vide–style method: submerge chicken breasts in cold water, heat to 170°F (about 77°C), then remove from heat, cover, … Read more

Rainbow cupcakes with colorful layered sponge, light mascarpone frosting, and bright rainbow decorations — perfect for birthdays and kids’ parties. These rainbow cupcakes combine playful, vibrant layers with a tender vanilla base and a light mascarpone frosting that complements the cake without overpowering it. They look great and taste even better — ideal for birthdays, … Read more

Super soft even days after baking, these Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies are an easy way to keep the cookie jar full. Adding instant vanilla pudding mix enhances the flavor and makes the cookies irresistibly soft and chewy. If you love pudding cookies, try other variations like Cookies and Cream pudding cookies, chocolate-peanut butter-marshmallow pudding cookies, … Read more